Start your adventure at the Audubon Society headquarters off Northwest Cornell Road, where visitors can peruse the interpretive center, meet birds of prey at the wildlife care center and stock up on helpful maps and guidebooks at the nature store. Once you’ve said hello to the residents, including Julio the great horned owl and Finnegan the peregrine falcon, head outside to hike any of the three wooded sanctuaries (Uhtoff, Collins and Pittock Bird), which collectively house more than 40 bird varieties and 60 species of mammals. Along the refuge’s 4.5 miles (7 km) of interpretive trails, nature lovers can spot chickadees, thrushes, doves and other avian residents, as well as Pacific giant salamanders and Western painted turtles.

Mentioned in this Article

Nestled against Forest Park, five minutes from downtown Portland, is the Portland Audubon Society’s 150-acre, free-to-the-public nature sanctuary. The wildlife sanctuary is a showcase for native flora and fauna. It has over…

Proclaimed the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan, the Portland Japanese Garden is a 12.4-acre haven of tranquil beauty nestled in the scenic west hills of Portland. The garden is composed of…